2013 a 'mixed bag' for city of Dublin

The road to 2013 won't be paved with orange cones, but Dublin does have new projects and maintenance planned.

JENNIFER NOBLIT, ThisWeek Community News

The road to 2013 won't be paved with orange cones, but Dublin does have new projects and maintenance planned.

The new year will be a mixed bag for Dublin as the city works on redevelopment in the Bridge Street district, maintenance and new construction projects around the city.

Redevelopment in the Bridge Street district is expect to progress this year, with new codes and zoning in place.

"In the last month or two, we put together consultants to decide how to develop the area," City Manager Marsha Grigsby said.

The city also last year hired former city manager Terry Foegler to lead the charge in the Bridge Street district on a part-time basis.

Last month, Dublin City Council members approved the purchase of 12.3 acres along Riverside Drive south of Tuller Parkway, which followed Bridge Street district plans.

The land that holds Digger and Finch restaurant could be the new home for a park or make way for the relocation of Riverside Drive.

"It's a very visible area. It could change the district," Grigsby said. "Council took some very impactful steps that night.

"We're still looking at options and trying to determine what type of park and amenities should be there."

The eighth and final phase of Emerald Parkway is expected to be built in 2013, opening the area between Riverside Drive and Hard Road up to development, Grigsby said.

"We will eventually develop that into commercial," she said.

Utility relocation for Bright Road is planned for winter and once that is completed, Dublin can seek construction bids and then begin the roadway construction.

Roundabouts are also planned this year at the intersections of Hyland Croy and Brand roads and Coffman and Brand roads.

The roundabout at Coffman and Brand roads is expected to spur work on a multi-use trail on Brand Road that will connect some of the community the Dublin Community Pool North, Grigsby said.

The new Dublin Road water tank is expected to be completed this year as is the Emerald Parkway widening project Dublin has partnered with Columbus on.

"It started in 2012 and will be completed in 2013," Grigsby said.

Also on the list of 2013 projects, the city will work to replace some streetlights with LED bulbs, making all streetlights in the city more energy-efficient. Dublin also plans to work on the Coffman Park expansion this year.

"Most of it is foundational work like drainage and bridge crossings for Indian Run," Grigsby said.

Maintenance on roads, trails, the sewer system and other items is also expected this year as infrastructure ages.

"We said someday the city will go into maintenance mode and this is going into maintenance mode," Grigsby said.

Dublin will also push forward on plans and finding funding for improvements to the Interstate 270/U.S. Route 33 interchange.

Grigsby said the city will work with MORPC and the Ohio Department of Transportation to secure funding. The first phase of the project could cost as much as $51 million.

"Not only is that important to Dublin, but the whole region. There's freight traffic that goes up U.S. Route 33," she said.

An AEP substation also is expected to be constructed this year near Houchard Road. The substation would provide energy for land in Dublin that was named a state-certified job-ready site.

"It's critical to development," Grigsby said.

Having land designated as a job-ready site took about six years, Grigsby said, and means extra attention for the area.

"It's one of 10 sites in Ohio," she said. "Not only are we marketing us, but Ohio is, too."

Ohio University's Dublin medical campus will be established not too far from the job-ready site and Grigsby said the city could work on street improvements in the area, such as widening Eiterman Road and state Route 161 this year.